Novel technique of left atrial appendage occlusion-a pilot study.

A clot in the left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important cause of cardio-embolic stroke. Concomitant occlusion of the LAA during cardiac surgery is found to have reduced postoperative stroke. A study was designed to observe the results of LAA occlusion in 17 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Hydrodissection in chronic pulmonary endarterectomy.

Unlabelled: In our series of surgical pulmonary endarterectomies done for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, we have incorporated the principle of hydrodissection with the aid of a carbon dioxide (CO) mist blower which is routinely used for off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgeries. This added method of endarterectomy will help to achieve optimum clearance of thrombic load with basic cardiac surgical instruments.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.

Medium-term outcomes of a modified technique for RSOV-VSD subset.

Rupture of sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) aneurysm to right ventricular outflow tract or main pulmonary artery is commonly associated with subaortic ventricular septal defect (VSD). A standard surgical approach described is double patch closure. We have adopted the principle of transaortic direct closure of VSD with prosthetic patch closure of sinus defect; this novel technique is used for past 15 years with good long-term results.

Novel technique of achieving hemodynamic stability during systemic to pulmonary artery shunt.

Historically, the Blalock Taussig (BT) shunt has been an off-pump procedure. For the last two decades, the number of BT shunt operations has come down globally with the adoption of neonatal early corrective surgery. BT shunts are still performed for augmentation of pulmonary arterial (PA) growth or as a part of univentricular palliation.

Tips for southpaw cardiac surgery trainees.

The right-handed surgeons/mentors face difficulties when it comes to training left-handed cardiac surgical trainees. Those who are left dominant and non-ambidextrous have to devise their own ways to operate safely and expeditiously. These are some suggestions that can help mentors to plan a proper training program for a left-handed trainee and for the trainees to overcome their shortcomings.

Lipomatous hamartoma of mitral valve.

Primary cardiac tumors are very rare, and tumors arising from cardiac valves are extremely rare. We present a case of lipomatous hamartoma of the mitral valve in a young female. This is the 6th case of lipomatous hamartoma of the mitral valve to be reported.

Acute severe mitral regurgitation following balloon mitral valvotomy: echocardiographic features, operative findings, and outcome in 50 surgical cases.

Objective: To analyze the echocardiographic and operative findings with respect to mitral valve anatomy in individuals undergoing emergency surgery for acute severe mitral regurgitation (MR) following balloon mitral valvotomy (BMV). In addition, the clinical profile and outcomes are highlighted.

Background: Acute severe MR is a major complication of BMV.

Infected pseudoaneurysm involving a drug-eluting stent.

Stent infection following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is rare. We present such a case involving a drug-eluting stent placed in the left anterior descending coronary artery that was managed surgically with removal of the stent with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting. Early surgical intervention directed at removal of the infected stent, debridement and distal vessel revascularisation is recommended to deal with the infection and prevent myocardial compromise.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia presenting as a giant axillary artery aneurysm.

Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is an unusual vascular tumor most frequently located in the superficial head and neck. Noncutaneous localization of this pathology in large arteries presenting as a pulsatile mass is extremely rare. We describe an adult male with a giant left axillary artery tumor secondary to ALHE.

The challenge produced by familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia when treating premature coronary arterial disease in the young.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia is a monogenic, autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene. Familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia results when both the alleles have the defective mutation. It is characterized by cutaneous and tendinous xanthomas, premature corneal arcing, and is associated with an increased risk of coronary arterial disease.